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Baseball today: Friday, March 23 »
March 22, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- What Terry Francona and Jonathan Papelbon had to say about the decision to move Papelbon back to the closer's role:
Francona:
On what went into the deicision: ''We made the decision with extensive, intense and passionate talks. He's going to move to the bullpen.''
On what was said at the end of last season, about the health risks to Papelbon if he continued relieveing: "I know what was said at the end of last season. I was there.''
On how the Sox came to change their minds: ''When we got to camp, he went through a barrage of medical updates. The more I watched, the more I asked a lot of questions. He's off the charts with his strength.''
Papelbon:
On what he's been thinking during camp: ''Obviously I've been thinking about this all spring. When I got to spring training, I wasn't sleeping well. There was always that feeling I wanted to close. I went to our captain (Jason Varitek), I said, 'Tek, I'm not sleeping good at night. I want to close.' ''
On whether or not the team is forcing the move: ''This was a decision I made. This had nothing to do with (Mike) Timlin being healthy or us not having (an established) closer.''
On his endurance in the role: ''There's no reason I can't pitch into October, from my standpoint or a physical standpoint.''
On how he feels about the role: ''It all boiled down to the simple fact that I broke into the league as a closer. Basically, my heart is as a closer. In my heart I still had feelings for going to close. I want to do this rest of the career. I want to be Mariano Rivera.''
Posted by Art Martone 
at 4:34 PM | Permalink
